A new perspective on resources

Andreas Angourakis — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:08:26 +0000

A new perspective on resources
What can object-oriented ontology achieve?

Prof. Dr. Markus Keck

Chair of Urban Climate Resilience, Centre of Climate Resilience, Universität Augsburg

Haus der Archäologien, Seminarraum 1
24.02.2026 - 4 pm c.t.

Under the heading of ‘new materialism,’ a number of new approaches have been developed in the past that promise a different perspective on natural raw materials and materiality in general. This lecture will explore the question of how fruitful and profitable the various approaches of new materialism actually are. First, Karen Barad’s agential materialism and Jane Bennett’s vital materialism will be presented, followed by an examination of the special role of Graham Harman and Timothy Morton’s object-oriented ontology. Finally, the thesis will be put forward that object-oriented ontology is suitable as a foundation for integrative science, especially for the transdisciplinary examination of resources.

This lecture is part of the series: A/The Matter of Resources

About Prof. Dr. Markus Keck

Prof Dr Markus Keck holds the Chair of Urban Climate Resilience at the University of Augsburg. In his work, he researches how urban settlement areas and societies can be made more climate-resilient.

His research as a human geographer focusses on urban geography, agri-food geography and geographical development research. He specialises in critical climate resilience research, urban climate adaptation, agriculture and nutrition as well as urban-rural relations. The regional focus of his expertise is Germany and South Asia.

Der Beitrag A new perspective on resources erschien zuerst auf ReForm.

New Perspectives on Extractivism

Andreas Angourakis — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:08:06 +0000

New Perspectives on Extractivism
Inspirations and open questions for researching resources in different times

Dr. Dorothea Hamilton

PostDoc at the ScienceCampus ReForm
FernUniversität in Hagen (Sociology, Prof. Dr. Frank Hillebrandt)

Haus der Archäologien, Hörsaal
10.02.2026 - 4 pm c.t.

The term extractivism emerged from Latin America to describe the expansion of large-scale extraction of resources that often goes hand in hand with conflicts involving local communities that contest the extraction of resources intended for export. Originating in political science, the concept criticizes the reduction of nature to single extractable resources at the expense of others. Over time, the term has expanded to include non-mineral resources and other geographical contexts.

In the context of the Energy Transition, extractivism is particularly relevant, as the demand for certain mineral resources – such as copper and rare earth elements – and gaseous resources – such as hydrogen – is expected to increase.

In my presentation, I will introduce the concept of extractivism with examples from Latin America and then discuss its theoretical and empirical shortcomings. These include the neglect of bodily and gender dimensions, the marginalization of artisanal and small-scale mining, and the lack of engagement with the materiality of resources.

After the presentation, I will discuss with a transdisciplinary team of experts how the notion of extractivism can be expanded to include research on both future and past forms of resource extraction.

Hamilton, Dorothea (2025): The invisible afterlives of extractivism: a queer feminist landscape perspective on Quiruvilca, Peru. In: Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space 8 (6), Artikel 25148486251374656. DOI: 10.1177/25148486251374656.

We invite the participants and the audience to an informal reception after the panel.

This lecture is part of the series: A/The Matter of Resources

About Dr. Dorothea Hamilton

She holds a PhD in Geography from Justus Liebig University Giessen and has conducted several field studies in Latin America, with a strong focus on Peru. Before working as a ReForm postdoctoral researcher, she held positions at Philipps University Marburg and the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú.

Her research interests lie in resource conflicts and the role of resources in peacebuilding, mine closures, and artisanal and small-scale mining in the context of the energy transition – always approached through a gender-sensitive lens.

Der Beitrag New Perspectives on Extractivism erschien zuerst auf ReForm.

Matter of Resources Archive - ReForm

A new perspective on resources